Santorini: Because sometimes you just need to be in Greece

This summer I went to Greece for the first time. The best part of the trip (besides the food!) was being able to meet up with one of my best friends from Canada. As Athens is only a four flight from Berlin, I booked a week off and headed down south for a week of fun in the sun.

Santorini is without a doubt a stunning island. Bright white houses, deep sky-blue roofs, and endless views of the ocean. Windy roads that lead you to quiet lookouts, local wineries, and black sand beaches. However, it is also filled with hundreds of tourists, over-priced food and drinks, and traffic jams. It makes sense though. When you have a piece of paradise, everyone wants to flock there.

As we just wanted a few days of laying on beaches and in pools, drinking, and soaking up the sun, it was perfect for us. We were able to rent quads and explore the island at our own will. Heading to the south of the island, we spent a couple of days soaking up the sun in Perissa ( approximately 13 kms south of Fira–the main village).

Perissa

To the north of Fira, is the village of Oia – aka the hotspot to watch sunsets. If there are 1000 people visiting Santorini, 995 of them will be in Oia at sunset. However, it is with good reason. It is a beautiful drive up there and one of the most amazing sunsets in the world. We went up there twice to watch it; the first time we drove up during sunset so we could watching the sun go down and the sky change colours as we rounded corners. The second time, we were up early, found a good “viewing spot” and enjoyed a couple of drinks (with an additional 10+ new friends).

There is so much more to do and see on Santorini, but if you are first thinking you only want sun and relaxation let that be the reason to get you there. Without a doubt, you will leave the island feeling refreshed, tanned, and overall happy.

2 Comments on Santorini: Because sometimes you just need to be in Greece

It seems like Santorini has made it’s way in the last few years in places-to-go list. All of Instagram is flooded with photos of Santorini. It’s a shame though that because of this tourism everything is in adapted to the tourists, prices etc. etc. of course this is the way the world works and it doesn’t change the fact that it’s just stunning and mesmerising.